“President Trump has managed to do the impossible—run the government like one of his many failing businesses. Far from balancing the budget, the Administration’s budget proposal drives us into trillions of dollars of debt for the foreseeable future. This is the latest attempt to chip away at the programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, that working families and seniors depend on. Our children and grandchildren shouldn’t be left to deal with the consequences of these harmful proposals. It’s clear that the President’s priorities do not line up with our values.

“The American Society of Civil Engineers, Congress, and the American people all agree on the need to address our failing infrastructure immediately. While I’m encouraged that President has put forth an infrastructure plan, it unfairly shifts the burden of funding these massive projects to states and local communities. Incredibly, on the same day that the President proposes $200 billion in new federal transportation investments, his budget actually cuts over $210 billion in existing highway and airport funding. We need actual federal investments if we’re truly serious about improving our roads and bridges and expanding access to broadband—not smoke and mirrors.

“The President’s proposals fail to address the real problems before us and lack the leadership, security, and stability the nation demands. I’ll keep pushing for policies that will modernize our infrastructure without hurting workers and ensure that America remains competitive in the 21st century economy.”

Last month, Rep. Torres, co-chair of the 21st Century Infrastructure Task Force, joined with other members of the New Democrat Coalition to release a set of infrastructure priorities to increase long-term federal investments in all types of infrastructure. Torres spearheaded efforts to include the implementation of the numerous regulatory provisions passed in the 2015 FAST Act transportation bill in the Coalition’s priorities. Her proposal calls for incentivizing public and private entities to cooperate and create a “Highway of Things” at the beginning of proposed projects. These partners could invite utility companies to coordinate planning and share the costs of establishing services such as broadband, water, and electricity.